Drilling at the Cape May Zoo (39°06´16.9N, 74°48´52.6W; elevation = 19.4 ft; Stone Harbor Quad, USGS 7.5 minute quadrangle; Middle Township, Cape May County, New Jersey) began in late September 2004. Drilling operations were superintended by Gene Cobbs III, Head Driller, USGS Eastern Earth Surface Processes Team. Casey McKinney was the drilling assistant. The Cape May County Park and Zoo provided space, water, and electricity for the site (Dominic Rosselli, Park Director). The drillers arrived late in the day on 27 September. On 28 September they began rigging up behind the park maintenance building and ran a water line from the park maintenance yard. On 29 September a field trailer was set up as a portable laboratory and electric hookups made to the yard. An Olympus C70 Ultra Zoom digital zoom camera (6.3–63 mm lens; 4 megapixel resolution), Macintosh G4, and the DGS photography stand were set up to photograph 2-ft (0.61 m) core segments. The camera's default settings with fill-in flash were used.
All cores were measured in feet (all depths are given in feet below land surface with metric conversions provided). We continued to adopt ODP convention of top-justifying depths for intervals with incomplete recovery for all field notes and photos.
The first core was obtained on 29 September using a Christensen 94-mm (HQ) system, 4.5-in Longyear bit, and a 2.5-in (6.4 cm) core diameter. For unconsolidated sand, an extended ("snout") shoe was used to contact the sample 1.5–2.5 in (3.8–6.4 cm) ahead of the bit. Core diameter is 2.4 in (6.1 cm) with a rock shoe and 2.1 in (5.3 cm) with the snout shoe. The first core was obtained at 0900 hr, with coring proceeding with moderate recovery (average = 45%) in sand and gravel on Runs 1 (0–3 ft; 0–0.91 m), 2 (3–7 ft; 0.91–2.13 m), and 3 (7–11 ft; 2.13–3.35 m), stopping at 1100 hr to rig up electrical supply. Coring continued in the afternoon in soft sand, with very good recovery on Run 4 (11–15 ft [3.35–4.57 m]; recovery = 88%), but moderate recovery on Run 5 (15–20 ft [4.57–6.10 m]; recovery = 50%) as we blew away sand. Run 6 (20–21 ft; 6.10–6.40 m) was blocked by sand inside the barrel at 1 ft (0.30 m) into the run. Run 7 (21–27 ft; 6.40–8.23 m) recovered 3.3 ft (1.01 m) of core. Run 8 (27–35 ft; 8.23–10.67 m) had poor recovery of 2.05 ft (0.62 m). Run 9 (35–40 ft; 10.67–12.19 m) only had 40% recovery. The core was compressed when pushed out, so recovery probably was a little better. Run 10 (41–48 ft [12.50–14.63 m]; 4 ft [1.22 m] of recovery) was the final run of the day. We lost 40–41 ft (12.19–12.50 m) as the barrel was sand locked. Drilling was slow at the end of the day, as caving sand required extra mud pumping to clear the hole. The day ended at 48 ft (14.63 m) with 22.82 ft (6.96 m) recovered from 48 ft (14.63 m) drilled (recovery = 47.5%).
On 30 September, 6.2 ft (1.89 m; recovery = 89%) was recovered from the first run (48–55 ft; 14.63–16.76 m). On Run 12, we recovered only 1 ft (0.30 m) between 55 and 60 ft (16.76 and 18.29 m). Run 13 (60–70 ft; 18.29–21.34 m) initially recovered 2.9 ft (0.88 m); however, on the next run (Run 14: 70–75 ft; 21.34–22.86 m) we recovered 8.45 ft (2.58 m). We placed the top 3.75 ft (1.14 m) at the bottom of the previous 10-ft (3.05 m) run (62.9–66.5 ft; 19.17–20.27 m), and placed 4.7 ft (1.43 m) in the run from 70 to 75 ft (21.34 to 22.86 m) and labeled it 70–74.7 ft (21.34–22.77 m). On Run 15 we had perfect recovery from 75–80 ft (22.86–24.38 m). On the next run from 80 to 90 ft (24.38 to 27.43 m), we recovered 5.5 ft (1.68 m). Run 17, from 90 to 97 ft (27.43 to 29.57 m), recovered 3 ft (0.91 m) and a contact between clay above and sand below. The next few runs generally had poor recovery resulting from the coarse nature of the material. On Run 18 (97–100 ft; 29.57–30.48 m), we had 1.1 ft (0.34 m) of coarse sand and gravel. Run 19 (100–105 ft; 30.48–32.00 m) was similar, with 1.9 ft (0.58 m) of sand recovered. Recovery improved on Run 20, with 3.5 ft (1.07 m) recovered between 105 and 110 ft (32.00 and 33.53 m). Run 21 (110–117 ft; 33.53–35.66 m) recovered 3.2 ft (0.98 m). On the final run of the day from 117 to 125 ft (35.66 to 38.10 m) there was no recovery because the core barrel was sand locked. Recovery for the day was 41.75 ft (12.73 m) from 77 ft (23.47 m) drilled (recovery = 54.2%).
On 1 October, 4.4 ft (1.34 m; recovery = 88%) was recovered on Run 23 (125–130 ft; 38.10–39.62 m). The last run of the day (Run 24: 130–138 ft [39.62–42.06 m]), collected 7.1 ft (2.16 m) of core. Recovery for the day was 11.5 ft (3.51 m) from 13 ft (3.96 m) drilled (recovery = 88.5%). The rods were then pulled. Just after 1200 hr, two wireline logging runs (downhole and uphole) were conducted from surface to 98.6 ft (30.05 m). Although the hole depth was 138 ft (42.06 m), an obstruction (likely running sand) prevented passage of the logging tool below 100 ft (30.48 m). Logging was performed by DGS personnel (P.P. McLaughlin and K.W. Ramsey) using the Rutgers University Department of Geological Science's Century Geophysical Corporation drawworks and the USGS Annapolis Office's Century Gamma-Electric Multitool (Model 8043A). This logging tool simultaneously records a gamma ray log and a suite of electric logs, including spontaneous potential (SP), short normal resistivity (16N), long normal resistivity (64N), point resistance, and lateral resistivity.
On 2 October the hole was cased 78 ft (23.77 m) into clay with 5-in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casing to be removed on completion. The rods were run to the bottom of hole (BOH) at 138 ft (42.06 m) and the hole flushed. Runs 25 (138–140 ft; 42.06–42.67 m) and 26 (140–150 ft; 42.67–45.72 m) recovered 1.38 and 3.05 ft (0.42 and 0.93 m), respectively. Recovery for the day was 4.6 ft (1.40 m) from 12 ft (3.66 m) drilled (recovery = 38.3%).
On 3 October, 64.7 ft (19.72 m) of core was recovered from 150 to 240 ft (45.72 to 73.15 m; recovery = 72%). Recovery in the morning was moderate (recovery = 60%), but improved in the afternoon (recovery = 79%). Mud pressures were high at the end of core runs, suggesting that the inner barrel was running too low on the bit. We pulled the rods and replaced a bad landing ring.
On 4 October the rods were run from surface to BOH and coring began at 240 ft (73.15 m). Runs 39 (240–245 ft; 73.15–74.68 m) and 40 (245–250 ft; 74.68–76.20 m) recovered 2.2 ft and 3.65 ft (0.67 and 1.11 m), respectively, in sand. Compression of the sand probably caused underestimated recovery. We switched to 10-ft (3.05 m) barrels on Runs 41 (250–260 ft; 76.20–79.25 m) and 42 (260–270 ft; 79.25–82.30 m) and recovered 8.75 ft (2.67 m) and 10.0 ft (3.05 m), respectively. Recovery improved as we penetrated the clay of the Kirkwood Formation. Run 43 recovered 4.45 ft (1.36 m) from 270 to 280 ft (82.30 to 85.34 m), with ~2 ft (0.61 m) of slurry discarded. Run 44 recovered 5.65 ft (1.72 m) from 280 to 290 ft (85.34 to 88.39 m). Recovery from the interbedded sand and clay was difficult. Run 45 (290–300 ft; 88.39–91.44 m) had 5.8 ft (1.77 m) of recovery. Run 46, from 300 to 310 ft (91.44 to 94.49 m), had 3.8 ft (1.16 m) of recovery. The final run of the day (Run 47: 310–320 ft; 94.49–97.54 m) had 4.5 ft (1.37 m) of recovery. Recovery for the day was 49.8 ft (15.18 m) from 80 ft (24.38 m) drilled (recovery = 62.3%).
On 5 October, Run 48 (320–325.5 ft; 97.54–99.21 m) was cut short by hard material (shell), with 4.6 ft (1.40 m) recovered. Run 49 (325.5–327.5 ft; 99.21–99.82 m) was also cut short as the barrel was sand locked; 1.3 ft (0.40 m) was recovered. Run 50, from 327.5 to 330 ft (99.82 to 100.58 m) recovered 1.5 ft (0.46 m). Run 51, from 330 to 332 ft (100.58 to 101.19 m) recovered 1.8 ft (0.55 m). Using a long shoe resulted in slower drilling. Drilling recovery improved for Run 52 (332–340 ft; 101.19–103.63 m) to 7.6 ft (2.32 m), as the smaller shoe cut faster. Runs 53 and 54 (340–350 ft [103.63–106.68 m] and 350–355 ft [106.68–108.20 m]) recovered 2.5 and 3.4 ft (0.76 and 1.04 m), respectively. The final two runs of the day (Runs 55 and 56), which were described on the morning of 6 October, came up without incident (355–360 ft [108.20–109.73 m], 4.8 ft [1.46 m] recovered; 360–370 ft [109.73–112.78 m], 10.0 ft [3.05 m] recovered). Recovery for the day was 37.5 ft (11.43 m) from 50 ft (15.24 m) drilled (recovery = 75.0%).
Run 57 (370–380 ft; 112.78–115.82 m) came up empty originally, but 3.8 ft (1.16 m) of core was recovered when the drillers went back down with the inner core barrel to recover it. Drilling was slowed because acorns kept falling in the mud pan, clogging the mud pump. Core recovery improved markedly for Runs 58–61 (380–414.5 ft [115.82–126.34 m]; 33.6 ft [10.24 m] recovered) in clay and silty sand. At 414.5 ft (126.34 m) the drillers encountered a coarse or cemented zone requiring them to switch to the rock bit. The indurated layer destroyed a shoe and blocked the core barrel on the next run, limiting recovery for Run 62 (414.5–420 ft; 126.34–128.02 m) to 1.2 ft (0.37 m). For the final run of the day (Run 63: 420–430 ft; 128.02–131.06 m), the drillers went back to the short snout shoe and recovered 4.3 ft (1.31 m). Recovery for the day was 42.9 ft (13.08 m) from 60 ft (18.29 m) drilled (recovery = 71.5%).
On 7 October, Run 64 recovered 100% from 430 to 438.5 ft (131.06 to 133.65 m). The next run (Run 65) was very short resulting from refusal from a cemented sandstone. We recovered 1 ft (0.30 m) from 438.5 to 439.7 ft (133.65 to 134.02 m). Run 66 was an unusual length (439.7–450 ft; 134.02–137.16 m), and 5.45 ft (1.66 m) was recovered. In Run 67 (450–460 ft; 137.16–140.21 m), 5.2 ft (1.58 m) was recovered. Run 68 (460–470 ft; 140.21–143.26 m) had perfect recovery. Run 69 (470–480 ft; 143.26–146.30 m) had 10.35 ft (3.15 m) of recovery. The day ended at 510 ft (155.45 m) with 64.85 ft (19.77 m) recovered from 80 ft (24.38 m) drilled (recovery = 81.1%).
On 8 October, drilling through clay and shelly sand on Run 73 (510–520 ft; 155.45–158.50 m) recovered 6.2 ft (1.89 m). The Rutgers Marine Geology class visited the drill site. The top 1.5 ft (0.45 m) of Run 74 (520–530 ft; 158.50–161.54 m) had 1 ft (0.30 m) of solid core over 0.5 ft (0.15 m) of slurry that was discarded. This top 1 ft (0.30 m) was apparently from the previous run. The core from the inner barrel could only be extruded with high pressures. Recovery was 7.2 ft (2.19 m), and the core was somewhat "chewed." Run 75 (530–533.5 ft; 161.54–162.61 m) was cut short when the bit would not penetrate; recovery was 3.85 ft (1.17 m). Runs 76 (533.5–540 ft; 162.61–164.59 m) and 77 (540–550 ft; 164.59–167.64 m) recovered 5.9 and 10.4 ft (1.80 and 3.17 m), respectively. A hard clay layer stopped Run 78 (550–558.5 ft; 167.64–170.23 m), although 7.1 ft (2.16 m) was recovered. Run 79 (558.5–567 ft; 170.23–172.82 m) had full recovery, whereas Run 80 (567–575 ft; 172.82–175.26 m) only recovered 4.6 ft (1.40 m). The day ended at 575 ft (175.26 m) with 54.15 ft (16.50 m) recovered from 65 ft (19.81 m) drilled (recovery = 83.3%).
On 9 October, smooth coring in consistent clay occurred from 575 to 625 ft (175.26 to 190.50 m) on Runs 81–87, with 48.35 ft (14.74 m) recovered (recovery = 96.7%). Recovery suffered on 10 October as we penetrated a sand with indurated zones. We shortened the runs and obtained 27.9 ft (8.5 m) on Runs 88–94 from 625 to 670 ft (190.50 to 204.22 m; recovery = 62%).
The last day of coring was 11 October. We maintained short runs in shelly sand with moderate recovery. Acorns falling into the mud pans continued to block the lines; the pans were cleaned for the seventh time. Run 98 (690–697 ft; 210.31–212.45 m) was stopped when it felt like the section was being blown away (5.5 ft [1.68 m] recovered). The day ended at 720 ft (219.46 m) with 28.55 ft (8.70 m) recovered from 50 ft (15.24 m) drilled (recovery = 57.1%).
On 12 October, P. McLaughlin and the DGS team arrived on site and obtained gamma logs through the rods. The rods were pulled, and two logging runs were made on formation. Logging was performed by personnel of the DGS using the same equipment used on 1 October. Logging went relatively smoothly. The multitool hung a few times on the way down but was worked past bridges and a good uplog was obtained. For some undetermined reason not related to any tool malfunction, the electric logs provided geologically dubious readings shallower than 280 ft (85.34 m) on both up and down runs.
On 12 and 13 October, the hole was grouted with cement, plugged, and abandoned. At Cape May Zoo, we recovered 499.35 (152.20 m) from a TD of 720 ft (219.46 m; mean recovery = 70.3%). Lithologies were described on site and subsequently at the Rutgers core facility. These descriptions form the basis for the preliminary lithologic descriptions. Samples were obtained at ~5-ft (1.52 m) intervals for planktonic foraminiferal, calcareous nannofossil, and diatom biostratigraphy and coarse-fraction lithologic studies. Cores were cut into 2-ft (0.61 m) sections, labeled at the top and bottom of each section, placed into split PVC pipe (3-in diameter), wrapped in plastic sheeting, and stored in 2-ft (0.61 m) wax boxes. Seventy-two core boxes were moved to permanent storage at the Rutgers University core library for further study.